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Jimmy Vesey is going to be in hot demand come August 15.
Thats when the 2016 Hobey Baker winner will be free to sign with whichever NHL team that he chooses to.
Vesey told the Boston Herald that the Boston Bruins will be on his short list of teams that he prefers to play for.
“I think the Bruins will definitely be on my list of teams,… said the 22-year-old Vesey.
Vesey participated in the "Friend of Harvard Hockey" event honoring the school’s four Hobey Baker winners: Mark Fusco (1983), Scott Fusco (1985), Lane MacDonald (1989) and Vesey (2016).
What is Vesey looking for in his ideal NHL employer?
“I’ll look at what a team has in terms of NHL roster, and also what it has in the prospect pool,… Vesey said.
“I’ll also be looking at the coaches and what style of play is going to fit me the best. The city, definitely. There’s a lot that’s going to go into it. I’m excited about it, and I can’t wait to see where I’m going to end up.…
Add the Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, and Toronto Maple Leafs to Vesey's list, too.
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The NY Islanders cleaned out their locker stalls and said their goodbyes for the summer on Tuesday morning.
The Isles lost in five games to Ben Bishop, Nikita Kuchetov, Victor Hedman and the Tampa Lightning.
To their credit, the Islanders won a playoff series for the first time since 1993.
Some guys will return to Brooklyn come September. Others will never play for the Isles again.
Such is life in the unrestricted free agency market.
Kyle Okposo, the burly power forward, said Tuesday that his agent hasn't spoken lately with Isles GM Garth Snow. Okposo's $2.8 million cap hit now falls off the books. A new multi-year contract is not likely in Okposo's windshield.
In 529 career games with the Isles, Okposo scored 139 goals and added 230 assists. He has collected 310 PIMs. In 29 career playoff games, the for 7th overall pick in 2006 has scored 7 goals and 8 assists.
Okposo has been a key cog of the core in NY. Okposo, John Tavares, Matt Martin, and Frans Nielsen have been mainstays with the Isles.
Okpiso, Neilsen, and Martin's days may be numbered.
Garth Snow has UFA business to do with Frans Nielsen and Matt Martin, who will generate interest on the open market. New owners will take over from Charles Wang on July 1. There is no saying right now whether or not Snow will be able to spend to the cap ceiling or of he will be a budget minding GM. Re-signing core UFAs may not be an option for Snow.
Casey Cizickas, Ryan Strome, and Shane Prince are restricted free agents.
Garth Snow clearly has no plans of re-signing Okposo. The GM has had all season long to get a new deal done.
Okposo will join Steven Stamkos and David Backes on the UFA market. I see Okposo earning a new 4-5 year deal with a $5-$5.5M AAV. There will be many suitors lining up to pitch Okposo, however, the lack of available salary cap space will scare off the tire kickers. Only serious buyers need apply to the Okposo sweepstakes. The teams that swing and miss on Stamkos and Backes will go hard at Okposo.
I expect 10-12 NHL GMS to be very interested in Okposo. Among the team's will be Buffalo, Detroit, Toronto, Boston, Montreal and Minnesota.